Nobel winner boycotts top science journals like Nature, Cell and Science

Randy Schekman, professor at the University of California, Berkeley.

Randy Schekman says his lab will no longer send papers to Nature, Cell and Science as they distort scientific process

 

Leading academic journals are distorting the scientific process and represent a "tyranny" that must be broken, according to a Nobel prize winner who has declared a boycott on the publications.

Randy Schekman, a US biologist who won the Nobel prize in physiology or medicine this year and receives his prize in Stockholm on Tuesday, said his lab would no longer send research papers to the top-tier journals, Nature, Cell and Science.

Dr. Schekman said pressure to publish in "luxury" journals encouraged researchers to cut corners and pursue trendy fields of science instead of doing more important work. The problem was exacerbated, he said, by editors who were not active scientists but professionals who favoured studies that were likely to make a splash.

The prestige of appearing in the major journals has led the Chinese Academy of Sciences to pay successful authors the equivalent of $30,000. Some researchers made half of their income through such "bribes", Dr. Schekman said in an interview.

Writing in the Guardian, Dr. Schekman raises serious concerns over the journals' practices and calls on others in the scientific community to take action.

"I have published in the big brands, including papers that won me a Nobel Prize. But no longer," he writes. "Just as Wall Street needs to break the hold of bonus culture, so science must break the tyranny of the luxury journals."

Dr. Schekman is the editor of eLife, an online journal set up by the Wellcome Trust. Articles submitted to the journal - a competitor to Nature, Cell and Science - are discussed by reviewers who are working scientists and accepted if all agree. The papers are free for anyone to read.

Dr. Schekman criticises Nature, Cell and Science for artificially restricting the number of papers they accept, a policy he says stokes demand "like fashion designers who create limited-edition handbags." He also attacks a widespread metric called an "impact factor", used by many top-tier journals in their marketing.

A journal's impact factor is a measure of how often its papers are cited, and is used as a proxy for quality. But Schekman said it was "toxic influence" on science that "introduced a distortion". He writes: "A paper can become highly cited because it is good science - or because it is eye-catching, provocative, or wrong."

Daniel Sirkis, a post doctoral researcher in Schekman's lab, said many scientists wasted a lot of time trying to get their work into Cell, Science and Nature. "It's true I could have a harder time getting my foot in the door of certain elite institutions without papers in these journals during my post doctoral researcher, but I don't think I'd want to do science at a place that had this as one of their most important criteria for hiring anyway," he told the Guardian.

Sebastian Springer, a biochemist at Jacobs University in Bremen, who worked with Dr. Schekman at the University of California, Berkeley, said he agreed there were major problems in scientific publishing, but no better model yet existed. "The system is not meritocratic. You don't necessarily see the best papers published in those journals. The editors are not professional scientists, they are journalists, which isn't necessarily the greatest problem, but they emphasise novelty over solid work," he said.

Mr. Springer said it was not enough for individual scientists to take a stand. Scientists are hired and awarded grants and fellowships on the basis of which journals they publish in. "The hiring committees all around the world need to acknowledge this issue," he said.

Philip Campbell, editor-in-chief at Nature, said the journal had worked with the scientific community for more than 140 years and the support it had from authors and reviewers was validation that it served their needs.

"We select research for publication in Nature on the basis of scientific significance. That in turn may lead to citation impact and media coverage, but Nature editors aren't driven by those considerations, and couldn't predict them even if they wished to do so," he said.

"The research community tends towards an over-reliance in assessing research by the journal in which it appears, or the impact factor of that journal. In a survey Nature Publishing Group conducted this year of over 20,000 scientists, the three most important factors in choosing a journal to submit to were: the reputation of the journal; the relevance of the journal content to their discipline; and the journal's impact factor. My colleagues and I have expressed concerns about over-reliance on impact factors many times over the years, both in the pages of Nature and elsewhere."

Monica Bradford, executive editor at Science, said: "We have a large circulation and printing additional papers has a real economic cost . . . Our editorial staff is dedicated to ensuring a thorough and professional peer review upon which they determine which papers to select for inclusion in our journal. There is nothing artificial about the acceptance rate. It reflects the scope and mission of our journal."

Source: The Hindu

आओ फिर से दिया जलाएँ, आओ फिर से दिया जलाएँ

आम आदमी पार्टी कि जीत से राजनीतिक पार्टियाँ सक्ते में आ गयी हैं। इतने कम अन्तराल में इतनी बड़ी सफलता मिलना ये दिखाता है कि जनता सिर्फ और सिर्फ ईमानदारी को वोट देती है, और उसे अगर सही विकल्प मिले तो वो अपना निर्णय पूरी जिम्मेदारी से करती है, हमारे लोकतंत्र कि यही सबसे बड़ी ताक़त है। देश के वर्तमान गृहमंत्री सुशील कुमार सिंदे ने कभी कहा था कि जनता वक़्त के साथ सब भूल जाती है। दिल्ली विधानसभा का परिणाम ऐसी सोच पे एक ज़ोरदार तमाचा है।

आम आदमी पार्टी की इस जीत को सिर्फ विधायकों की संख्या में नहीं आँका जाना चाहिए, इस जीत के दूरगामी परिणाम होंगे। राजनेता अब मुद्दों पे बात करने को मज़बूर होंगे। इतने दुःख कि बात है की आज़ादी के इतने साल बाद भी धर्म और जाति आधारित राजनीति ही हावी थी, जो सिर्फ जनता की भावनाओं को भड़का के वोटों कि फ़सल काटने तक सीमित था, जनता को सीधे इन मुद्दों कुछ लेना देना नहीं था। 'आप' की इस जीत ने ये दिखा दिया कि अगर मुद्दों पे बात की जाये तो बाहुबल और धनबल कहीं नहीं टिकता।

'आप' की जीत नेताओं के विचार बदलने, जनता से जुड़े मुद्दे पे बात करने और भ्रस्टाचार को दूर करने के लिए उन्हें मज़बूर करना भी है। अब जनता को अब उम्मीद कि किरण दिखी है। साथ ही साथ आम आदमी पार्टी को अब और भी जिम्मेदारी से काम करना होगा, उनका एक भी गलत क़दम जनता की उम्मीद को तोड़ेगा, ऐसा होने पर फिर किसी और पर यकीन करना जनता के लिए बेहद मुश्किल होगा। 'आप' सिर्फ एक पार्टी नहीं अब एक उम्मीद है, मुझे पूरा यकीन है की 'आप' इस उम्मीद पर खरा उतरेगा। हमें 'आप' का समर्थन करना चाहिए और साथ ही साथ अपनी कसौटी पर रखना होगा।

आओ देश हित में एक कदम बढ़ाएं, और 'आप' से जुड़ जाएँ, राजनीति के लिए नहीं, क्रांति के लिए।

आओ फिर से दिया जलाएँ, आओ फिर से दिया जलाएँ । 

जय हिन्द!!!

India Ranks 94th on Global Corruption Perception Index

India was today ranked among the world's highly corrupt nations at the 94th spot in a global list topped by Denmark and New Zealand as the cleanest, while Somalia emerged as the most corrupt.
While India's rank has remained unchanged from the last year, it has emerged as more corrupt than three of its BRICS peers -- China (80th), South Africa and Brazil (both ranked 72nd) -- but better than Russia (127th) in this annual list of 177 countries compiled by Transparency International.

According to the list, India has scored 36 points on a scale of 0-100, where 0 means that a country is perceived as highly corrupt and 100 means it is perceived as very clean.
None of the countries have managed to get the perfect 100 score. Top-ranked Denmark and New Zealand have scored 91 points each to share the first place on the list.
Somalia shares lowest rank with North Korea and Afghanistan with 8 points each. Those scoring marginally better than these three countries include Sudan, Libya, Iraq, Uzbekistan, Syria, Haiti, Venezuela, Zimbabwe and Myanmar.
On the other hand, Denmark and New Zealand are followed by Finland, Sweden, Norway, Singapore, Switzerland, Netherlands, Australia and Canada in the top ten. Among other major countries, Germany is at 12th, the UK 14th, Hong Kong 15th, Japan 18th and the US at 19th spot.
India has done better than its neighbour Pakistan (ranked 127th), as also countries like Thailand (102nd), Mexico (106th), Egypt (114th), Nepal (116th), Vietnam (116th), Bangladesh (136th) and Iran (144th).
Releasing the list here today, Transparency International said that its "Corruption Perceptions Index 2013 offers a warning that the abuse of power, secret dealings and bribery continue to ravage societies around the world".
More than two thirds of 177 countries have scored below 50 -- the mid-way point between most corrupt and the cleanest.
"The Corruption Perceptions Index 2013 demonstrates that all countries still face the threat of corruption at all levels of government, from the issuing of local permits to the enforcement of laws and regulations," said Huguette Labelle, Chair of Transparency International.
She said that many countries continue to face issues like state capture, campaign finance and the oversight of big public contracts which remain major corruption risks.
The Index is based on experts' opinions of public sector corruption, Transparency International said.
Countries' scores can be helped by strong access to information systems and rules governing the behaviour of those in public positions, while a lack of accountability across the public sector coupled with ineffective public institutions hurts these perceptions, it added.
"Corruption within the public sector remains one of the world's biggest challenges, Transparency International said, particularly in areas such as political parties, police, and justice systems.
"Public institutions need to be more open about their work and officials must be more transparent in their decision-making. Corruption remains notoriously difficult to investigate and prosecute," it added.
Future efforts to respond to climate change, economic crisis and extreme poverty will face a massive roadblock in the shape of corruption, it warned, while urging international bodies like G20 to crack down on money laundering, make corporations more transparent and pursue the return of stolen assets.
"It is time to stop those who get away with acts of corruption. The legal loopholes and lack of political will in government facilitate both domestic and cross-border corruption, and call for our intensified efforts to combat the impunity of the corrupt," Labelle said.

Source: Outlook

Is Article-370 justified?

A woman from Jammu & Kashmir requested her Govt. for a medical aid for her child, she was denied as she was not living in Jammu & Kashmir- just because of Article-370. An elected MP from Jammu & Kashmir can vote for a bill in parliament but ironically, he/she himself/herself can't avail it. Unlike to rest of India one can not avail RTI, RTE, food security and many others public welfare programs in Jammu & Kashmir- even then Article-370 is justified?

Tribes in Jammu & Kashmir, be it Hindu, Muslim or Buddhist, are not getting any reservations. Women don't have right as in other part of India. Why there are different laws in some parts of India? We need one-nation one-law rule in India for the people. People of Jammu & Kashmir don't go to other parts of India for employment just to maintain their residential status in the valley. Why are politicians adamant? Is it not a complacent attitude?

Discussion should be a much needed behavior in democracy. Politicians adamantly destroying it. Please keep on discussing. Narendra Modi opened a debate to nation- let's appreciate it and answer him with own logic. Issues should not be dodged. Positive and negative angles will only be exposed through a debate. Let's incorporate it in politics and make it a DNA of politics.

Pass Janlokpal Bill in Parliamant: Anna Hazare's Letter to Prime Minister

वर्षाकालीन सत्र में जन लोकपाल पारित करो... अण्णा हजारे।
प्रधानमंत्री को चिठ्ठी...

सेवा में,
सम्माननीय श्रीमान् मनमोहन सिंह जी
प्रधान मंत्री,

भारत सरकार सस्नेह वन्दे।

आपके कार्यालय द्वारा श्री वी नारायण सामी जी द्वारा लिखित 24 जुलाई 2013 का पत्र प्राप्त हुआ। वर्षा कालीन सत्र में संसद में लोकपाल बिल लाने का आश्वासन आपने दिया है। ठीक है। वर्षा कालीन सत्र में यदि बिल पारित नहीं हो पाया तो मजबूरन शीत कालीन के सत्र के प्रथम दिवस से रामलीला मैदान में मेरा अनशन आरम्भ होगा। पत्र में आप लिखते हैं कि ‘‘आपको विदित होगा कि लोकपाल व लोकआयुक्त बिल लोक सभा में 27 दिसम्बर 2011 पारित हो चुका है। यही बिल बहस हेतु 29 दिसम्बर 2011 को राज्य सभा में प्रस्तुत किया गया, लेकिन उस पर राज्यसभा में ठोस निर्णय नहीं हो पाया। 25 मई 2011 को राज्य सभा ने यह बिल निरीक्षण अध्ययन हेतु एक कमेटी को सौंपा। उक्त कमेटी ने अपनी रिपोर्ट 23 नवम्बर 2012 को दी। ’’ पत्र में आपने यह भी बताया है कि ‘‘आपको सूचित करना चाहता हूं कि इस रिपोर्ट के प्राप्त होने पर केन्द्र सरकार ने राज्य सभा के सचिव को लोकपाल व लोक आयुक्त बिल 2011 में उक्त रिपोर्ट में किये गए सुझाव व सिफारिशों के अनुसार अधिकृत संशोधन करने हेतु तथा राज्य सभा के बजट सत्र में बिल को पारित कराने हेतु आवश्यक निर्देश भी दिये। किन्तु बजट सत्र में यह बिल नहीं आ पाया।’’

मेरे दिल में कुछ सवाल जो उठ रहे हैं...। रामलीला मैदान में जब मेरा अनशन चल रहा था, तब जन लोकपाल के समर्थन में देश भर में से करोडों की संख्या में लोग सडक पर उतर आये थे। अनशन के 12 दिन होने पर 27 अगस्त 2011 को संसद में सर्व सम्मति से प्रस्ताव पारित हुआ। प्रधान मन्त्री जी, आपने ख़ुद मुझे अपना हस्ताक्षरांकित पत्र भेज कर अनशन छोडने का आग्रह किया था। शीघ्रातिशीघ्र जन लोकपाल बिल लाने का आश्वासन भी आपने दिया था। आपके आश्वासन व लोक सभा के प्रस्ताव पर पूरा भरोसा रख कर मैंने अनशन समाप्त भी किया। मुझे अफसोस है कि इस बात को दो वर्ष पुरे हो रहे है। अब तक जन लोकपाल बिल का कोई अता पता नहीं है। आप पत्र में लिखते हैं कि लोक सभा में सर्व सम्मति से बिल पारित हुआ। तत्पश्चात् राज्य सभा में 29 दिसम्बर 2011 को भेजा गया, लेकिन उस पर ठोस निर्णय नहीं हो पाया। अतीव दु:ख की बात है कि जिस मॉंग को ले कर देश की जनता करोडों की संख्या में सडक पर उतर आती है, उस पर राज्य सभा में बिल आ कर भी कुछ भी नहीं हो रहा है? इस बारे में सार्थक प्रयास करने में सरकार नाकाम रही है यह बात साफ है। इस लिए बिल आने में देर हो चुकी है।

पत्र में आपने यह भी लिखा है कि राज्य सभा द्वारा नियुक्त कमेटी ने अत्यधिक विलम्ब के बाद 23 नवम्बर 2012 को अपनी रिपोर्ट सौंपी। रिपोर्ट मिलने पर केन्द्र सरकार ने राज्य सभा के सचिव महोदय को लोकपाल व लोक आयुक्त बिल 2011 में उक्त रिपोर्ट के अनुसार अधिकृत संशोधन ला कर राज्य सभा के बजट सत्र में बिल को पारित कराने हेतु आवश्यक निर्देश भी दिये। किन्तु बजट सत्र में यह बिल नहीं आ पाया। केन्द्र सरकार द्वारा राज्य सभा के सचिव को बजट सत्र में बिल पारित कराने हेतु आवश्यक निर्देश दिये जाने के बावजूद राज्य सभा सचिव द्वारा बिल राज्य सभा में बजट सत्र में नहीं पेश किया जाता है। क्यों कि हो सकता है कि सघन प्रयास करने से सरकार या तो बगलें झॉंकती रही हो, अथवा तो यह भी सम्भव है कि ख़ुद सरकार ही को इस बिल के पारित कराने में दिलचस्पी नहीं रही होगी।

फिर एक बार आपने इस पत्र में आश्वासन दिया है कि वर्षा कालीन सत्र में इस बिल को लाने के प्रयास जारी हैं। दो साल की प्रदीर्घ अवधि बीतने के पश्चात् भी फिर से आप मात्र आश्वासित ही करना चाहते हैं कि वर्षाकालीन सत्र में बिल लायेंगे। बार बार आश्वासन दिये जाते रहे हैं और उन पर अमल नहीं होता। अब तो इन आश्वासनों पर से भी मेरा भरोसा उठता जा रहा है। इसी लिए मैंने फैसला कर लिया है कि यदि आश्वासन के मुताबिक अब वर्षा कालीन सत्र में बिल नहीं आया तो मजबूर हो कर शीत कालीन सत्र के पहले ही दिन से मैं दिल्ली के रामलीला मैदान में अपना अनशन आरम्भ कर दूंगा।

धन्यवाद।

भवदीय,

(कि. बा. उपनाम अण्णा हज़ारे)

Which way are we going?

We need rule of law, not rule of mafia. Young population of UP had expected a lot from Akhilesh Yadav, but he failed totally and worst even than Mulayam Singh Yadav. Mayawati did worst that's why public refused her, now Akhilesh Yadav is on same track and within one year lost his ground as exemplified by exit polls. Parliamentary election will teach him. If Durga Shakti Nagpal (IAS officer) demolished an illegal construction, then before suspending her government should show courage to declare it legal first. It's court instruction to stop any such construction on government property, then Akhilesh should suspend that judge first who gave this instruction because by his sentence the judge broke communal harmony. These kind of opportunistic politics is destroying the democracy. 

People should think about their future and respond accordingly. By corruption one can make money in short-term and can defend it by manipulating his deeds, but in the long-term it's fatal even for his children. Please you must think about this. Come out of caste-based politics and make India safe and secured for everyone.

Jai Hind !!!

Professor Obaid Siddiqi, National Research Professor at the National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) passed away

Obaid Siddiqi FRS, National Research Professor at the National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) passed away on 26 July 2013. He is survived by his wife Asiya, sons Imran and Kalim, and daughters Yumna and Diba.

 

Obaid Siddiqi was born in 1932 in Uttar Pradesh and received his early education at Aligarh Muslim University. He obtained his Phd from the University of Glasgow, working on microbial genetics with Guido Pontecorvo. He carried out post-doctoral research with Alan Garen at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and University of Pennsylvania. This work led to the discovery of stop codons in the genetic code and the mechanism of chain termination during protein synthesis.

In 1962, at the invitation of Homi Bhabha, he set up the Molecular Biology Unit at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Mumbai. The formation of this unit is widely regarded as a transformational event in the landscape of modern biology research in India. Thirty years later, he would become the founding director of the TIFR National Center for Biological Sciences in Bangalore.

In the early seventies, Siddiqi began to study the genetic basis of behaviour using Drosophila as a model. Working with Seymour Benzer at Caltech he discovered a set of temperature sensitive paralytic mutants that exhibited defects in the electrical activity of nerves and muscles. This discovery led to a deeper understanding of the mechanistic basis of neuronal function and heralded the dawn of the field of Behavioral Genetics.

In the nineteen eighties, Siddiqi and his students at TIFR, Mumbai carried out pioneering work on the genetic basis of taste and smell in Drosophila. These discoveries paved the way for the modern understanding of how senses such as taste and smell are detected and encoded in the brain. He was active in this area of research till the end of his life, maintaining an active laboratory as an Emeritus Professor at NCBS.

Obaid Siddiqi's contributions have been widely recognized both nationally and internationally. He was an elected member of the Royal Society, London (FRS), the US National Academy of Sciences, The World Academy of Sciences, Trieste, the Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore (President 1986-89), National Academy of Sciences (India), Allahabad, and Maharashtra Academy of Sciences.

He has been honoured with the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, Bhatnagar Prize, INSA Golden Jubilee Medal, Birla Samarak Kosh National Award, Goyal Foundation Prize, Aryabhatta Medal by INSA, Bhasin Foundation Prize, Science Congress Plaque of Honours, BC Roy Award for Biomedical Research and Firodia Award for Basic Sciences.

Obaid Siddiqi has held visiting professorships at Yale University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the California Institute of Technology and Cambridge University. He was twice Sherman Fairchild Distinguished Scholar at Caltech and was a life member of Clare Hall, Cambridge. Aligarh Muslim University, Banaras Hindu University, Jamia Hamdard, Kalyani University, IIT Bombay, Jamia Millia Islamia and Central University of Hyderabad have conferred upon him the honorary degree of D.Sc.

In the words of K VijayRaghavan, former director of NCBS: "There are a daring few who define new intellectual quests, and whose courage and leadership create a culture...today, we celebrate Obaid Siddiqi whose foresight, determination and quiet courage has transformed research in molecular biology in India at least twice and whose scientific successes span many fields of biology. While establishing institutional excellence and instilling an iconoclastic culture of independence and freethinking, these pioneering efforts have led to wide appreciation, both of the beauty and value of Obaid's science and of his leadership in institution building, as models to emulate."

According to Satyajit Mayor, current Director of NCBS: "Obaid Siddiqi was one of the finest biologists India has ever had. His contribution to the growth of Molecular Biology in India is unparalleled. Throughout his career, Obaid always set an example for doing science at its most creative. He pioneered efforts in establishing the field of Behavioral Genetics based on his own research on the genetics of olfactory sensation in Drosophila. At the same time in his gentle but persuasive style he motivated a legion of younger colleagues by doing excellent science himself whilst in India. In 1992 he established the National Centre for Biological Sciences as a Centre of TIFR, to achieve excellence and to nurture fundamental curiosity to explore new frontiers in biological research. The realization and embodiment of these core principles, through the growth of the Centre over twenty years, is yet again a testimony to the foresight of this visionary man. Establishing an institution that promotes enquiry at all scales of Biology is indeed a pioneering experiment in how research in biological sciences may be conducted in the modern era of molecular biology.

It is not a surprise that Obaid Siddiqi was also one of India most decorated scientists. We will miss our friend, philosopher and muse deeply, and hope to cherish his dreams and ambitions in the way we would know he would want us to- by building on the edifice he has left us, and doing even more creative science."

Source: NCBS News

Nitish Kumar's media management

Now a days politicians started a new trend called as "media management" to favor their work and not to criticize. This is fatal to our democracy because media play a critical role to bring issues impartially to people and subsequently people make their views for the particular government. Media also has become a key player of corruption. 

Nitish Kumar spent Rs.182 crores of public money on media to advertise his "sushasan". Please read full report of BeyondHeadlines in this regard obtained by RTI.

Please click here to read.

Japanese team creates cancer-specific killer T cells from induced pluripotent stem cells

Researchers from the RIKEN Research Centre for Allergy and Immunology in Japan report today that they have succeeded for the first time in creating cancer-specific, immune system cells called killer T lymphocytes, from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells). To create these killer cells, the team first had to reprogram T lymphocytes specialized in killing a certain type of cancer, into iPS cells. The iPS cells then generated fully active, cancer-specific T lymphocytes. These lymphocytes regenerated from iPS cells could potentially serve as cancer therapy in the future.

Previous research has shown that killer T lymphocytes produced in the lab using conventional methods are inefficient in killing cancer cells mainly because they have a very short life-span, which limits their use as treatment for cancer. To overcome these problems, the Japanese researchers led by Hiroshi Kawamoto and presenting their results in the journal Cell Stem Cell online today, reprogramed mature human killer T lymphocytes into iPS cells and investigated how these cells differentiate.

The team induced killer T lymphocytes specific for a certain type of skin cancer to reprogram into iPS cells by exposing the lymphocytes to the 'Yamanaka factors'. The 'Yamanaka factors' is a group of compounds that induce cells to revert back to a non-specialized, pluripotent stage. The iPS cells obtained were then grown in the lab and induced to differentiate into killer T lymphocytes again. This new batch of T lymphocytes was shown to be specific for the same type of skin cancer as the original lymphocytes: they maintained the genetic reorganization enabling them to express the cancer-specific receptor on their surface. The new T lymphocytes were also shown to be active and to produce the anti-tumor compound interferon-γ.

"We have succeeded in the expansion of antigen-specific T cells by making iPS cells and differentiating them back into functional T cells. The next step will be to test whether these T cells can selectively kill tumor cells but not other cells in the body. If they do, these cells could be directly injected to patients for therapy. This could be realized in the not-so-distant future." explains Dr Kawamoto. 

Reference

• Raul Vizcardo, Kyoko Masuda, Daisuke Yamada, Tomokatsu Ikawa, Kanako Shimizu, Shin-ichiro Fujii, Haruhiko Koseki, Hiroshi Kawamoto "Regeneration of human tumor antigen-specific T cells from iPS cells derived from mature CD8+ T cells." Cell Stem Cell, 2013. doi: 10.1016/j.stem.2012.12.006

Nanoparticles help disrupt tumor blood supply, destroy tumors

In recent years, cancer researchers have been developing agents that destroy the blood vessels surrounding tumors with the goal of starving tumors to death. Some of these agents, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) have shown promising results, but often their toxicity has proven too great to be clinically useful. Using gold nanoparticles as a delivery vehicle for TNF-α has reduced this toxicity and the resulting construct has already completed a phase I clinical trial in humans.

Now, a team at the University of Minnesota headed by John Bischof, has shown that they can use this gold nanoparticle-TNF-α system to enhance the effects of either thermal therapy or cryosurgery. Moreover, the researchers demonstrated that they can use standard magnetic resonance imaging technology to visualize tumor destruction. Dr. Bischof and his colleagues reported their findings in the journal Molecular Pharmaceutics.

 Experiments in a mouse model of human prostate cancer showed that the gold nanoparticle-TNF-α system disrupted blood flow into tumors within 90 minutes of injection, an effect that lasted up to six hours. Using a technique known as dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI, Dr. Bischof's team was able to clearly image the changes in blood flow into and around the tumor following nanoparticle treatment. The researchers note that in human patients, a simple five-minute MRI scan would be sufficient to detect a meaningful change in tumor blood vessel function.

 Once the tumor blood vessels had been "preconditioned," Dr. Bischof and his collaborators treated the animals with either thermal therapy or cryosurgery, both of which produced marked reductions in tumors. They noted that none of the animals treated with thermal therapy died, an important finding given that an equivalent dose of TNF-α with no gold nanoparticle attached followed by thermal therapy was found to be lethal in a large percentage of animals. The researchers also showed that nanoparticle-delivered TNF-α did not trigger inflammatory reactions associated with activated neutrophils, something that does occur when tumors are treated with native TNF-α.

 This work, which was supported in part by the National Cancer Institute, is detailed in a paper titled, "Nanoparticle delivered vascular disrupting agents (VDAs): use of TNF-α conjugated gold nanoparticles for multimodal cancer therapy." Investigators for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences also participated in this study. An abstract of this paper is available at the journal's website.

Scientists discover kill-switch controls immune-suppressing cells

Scientists have uncovered the mechanism that controls whether cells that are able to suppress immune responses live or die.

The discovery of the cell death processes that determine the number of 'regulatory T cells' an individual has could one day lead to better treatments for immune disorders.

Regulatory T cells are members of a group of immune cells called T cells. Most T cells actively respond to clear the body of infections. By contrast, regulatory T cells are considered to be immune-suppressing cells because they can 'switch off' immune response to a particular molecule. This immune suppression is important for preventing the inappropriate immune attack of the body's own tissues, which is the underlying cause of autoimmune diseases such as lupus and type 1 diabetes.
 

A shortage of regulatory T cells is linked with the development of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, while some people with higher than normal numbers of regulatory T cells cannot fight infections properly.



Scientists have uncovered the mechanism that controls whether cells that are able to suppress immune responses live or die. Dr Daniel Gray (right) and Ms Antonia Policheni from Melbourne's Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research were part of a research team that made the discovery, which could one day lead to better treatments for immune disorders. Credit: Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research.

Dr Daniel Gray and Ms Antonia Policheni from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute's Molecular Genetics of Cancer and Immunology divisions made the discovery about how regulatory T cell numbers are controlled as part of an international team of researchers jointly led by Dr Gray and Dr Adrian Liston who is head of the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB) Laboratory for Autoimmune Genetics at the University of Leuven, Belgium. They found that regulatory T cells are constantly being produced in the body, but their numbers are held steady by a process of cell death. The findings are published today in the journal Nature Immunology.

Cell death, or apoptosis, is important in many immune cell types for the removal of excess, defective or damaged cells. The decision of these cells on whether to live or die is controlled by a family of proteins called the 'Bcl-2 protein family'. This includes proteins that can either promote cell survival or trigger cell death, in response to many different stimuli.

Dr Gray said the team had discovered that Bcl-2 family proteins were important determinants of regulatory T cell numbers. "Regulatory T cell death is highly dependent on the activity of two opposing Bcl-2 family proteins, called Mcl-1 and Bim," he said. "Mcl-1 is required for regulatory T cell survival, allowing them to suppress unhealthy immune responses, while Bim triggers the death of regulatory T cells. Without Mcl-1 activity, regulatory T cell numbers fall, provoking lethal autoimmune disease. Conversely, if Bim activity is lost, regulatory T cells accumulate in abnormally high numbers."

Dr Liston said the finding was exciting, because it opened up new ways to control regulatory T cell numbers in disease. "Already, there is considerable interest in a new class of agents, called 'BH-3 mimetics' that target Bcl-2-like molecules including Mcl-1," he said. "If agents that can influence regulatory T cell survival can be developed, we could see new ways to suppress autoimmune disease, by boosting regulatory T cell numbers, or to enhance beneficial immune responses, by silencing regulatory T cells."

Source: Walter and Eliza Hall Institute

Novel bacterial 'language' discovered

In nature, bacteria are no mavericks but live in close association with neighboring bacteria. They have evolved specific cell-cell communication systems that allow them to detect the presence of others and even to build up cooperative networks.

LMU microbiologist PD Dr. Ralf Heermann and Professor Helge Bode of the Goethe-University in Frankfurt have just reported the discovery of a previously unknown bacterial "language". Their findings are detailed in the latest issue of the journal Nature Chemical Biology. "Our results demonstrate that bacterial communication is much more complex than has been assumed to date," Heermann says.

The bacterial communication system that is currently best understood uses N-acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs) as signals. These compounds are made by enzymes that belong to the group of LuxI-family synthases. Transmitting cells secrete the signal and neighboring cells recognize the concentration via a LuxR-type receptor. Signal perception changes the pattern of gene expression in the receiving cells, which results in alterations in their functional properties or behavior. However, many bacteria have LuxR receptors but lack any LuxI homolog, so that they cannot produce AHLs. These receptors are referred to as LuxR solos.

A new class of bacterial signaling molecules
Ralf Heermann and Helge Bode have now discovered a type of ligand that binds to LuxR solos. As model system, they chose the species Photorhabdus luminescens, a pathogenic bacterium that is lethal to insects.

Bacteria communicate by means of chemical processes. LMU microbiologist PD Dr. Ralf Heermann and Professor Helge Bode of the Goethe-University Frankfurt have identified a novel bacterial cell-cell communication system that uses alpha-pyrones …more
 

"We have identified a new class of bacterial signaling molecules, which are produced by a previously unknown biochemical route," explains Helge Bode, Merck Professor of Molecular Biotechnology at Goethe-Universität Frankfurt. It turns out that a LuxR solo of this bacterium responds to compounds called alpha-pyrones, specifically to photopyrones. Furthermore, the researchers have identified the pyrone synthase (PpyS) that catalyzes the biosynthesis of photopyrones. The pyrone-based signaling system allows the bacteria to recognize one another, whereupon they produce a surface factor that causes cell clumping. Heermann and Bode assume that this collective behavior makes the cells less vulnerable to the insect's innate immune system, and then allows them to kill their victims by the production of various of toxins." P. luminescens is a useful model organism, because it is related to many human pathogens, including coliform bacteria such as enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) and well as plague bacteria," Heermann points out.

Read the article The microbiota controls the shape of immunity.

Anti-viral enzyme contributes to several forms of cancer

Researchers at the University of Minnesota have discovered that a human antiviral enzyme causes DNA mutations that lead to several forms of cancer. The discovery, reported in the July 14 issue of Nature Genetics, follows the team's earlier finding that the enzyme, called APOBEC3B, is responsible for more than half of breast cancer cases. The previous study was published in Nature in February.
APOBEC3B is part of a family of antiviral proteins that Harris has studied for more than a decade. His effort to understand how these proteins work has led to these surprising discoveries that APOBEC3B is a broadly important cancer mutagen.
"We are very excited about this discovery because it indicates that a single enzyme is one of the largest known contributors to cancer mutation, possibly even eclipsing sources such as UV rays from the sun and chemicals from smoking," says Reuben Harris, a professor of Biochemistry, molecular biology and biophysics based in the College of Biological sciences. Harris, who led the study, is also a member of the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota.
For the current study, Harris, along with colleagues Michael Burns and Alpay Temiz, analyzed tumor samples from 19 different types of cancer for the presence of APOBEC3B and 10 related proteins. Results showed that APOBEC3B alone was significantly elevated in six types (bladder, cervix, two forms of lung cancer, head & neck, and breast). Levels of the enzyme, which is present in low levels in most healthy tissues, were elevated in several other types of cancer as well.
A second key finding was that the mutational signature of APOBEC3B is a close match to the actual mutation pattern in these cancers. "Much like we each have unique written signatures, these enzymes each leave a unique mark," Harris says.
Findings from both studies are counterintuitive because the enzyme, which is produced by the immune system, is supposed to protect cells from HIV and other viruses, not harm our own genomic DNA.
While it's well known that sunlight and chemical carcinogens can mutate DNA, and that mutations are essential for cancer to develop, Harris is the first to discover that this human enzyme is a major cause mutation in cancer. He believes that APOBEC3B is a biological "double-edged sword" that protects some cells from viruses such as HIV and produces mutations that give rise to cancer in others.
Harris hopes to find a way to block APOBEC3B from mutating DNA, just as sunscreen blocks mutations that lead to melanoma. Many cancer mutations have been identified, but discovering a common source of mutation such as APOBEC3B is expected to help researchers to move "upstream" and look for a way to stop carcinogenesis closer to its source, he says, "like damming a river before it wreaks havoc on downstream areas." It's also possible that a simple test for APOBEC3B could be used to detect cancer earlier.
Harris is a professor in the Department of Biochemistry, molecular biology and Biophysics, which is a joint department of the College of Biological sciences and the Medical School. He is also a member of the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, which is part of the National Cancer Institute's network of Comprehensive Cancer Centers. Harris and colleagues are grateful for support from the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program, the Jimmy V Foundation, and the Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance.

Source: University of Minnesota

Be religious, not just an practitioner of a particular religion

Religion is the soft target in everyone's talking. It has been said that religion is the weapon by which a society can be bound with love and simultaneously it can also be used to kill others. It's a very sensitive issue in every field of life. Do you think that religion has a name, and if yes should it be given a name? Whenever I sit alone, this question always comes in my mind. Here, I shared my opinion. It's quite possible that you may not agree with me but it can't stop me here; may be others like it. One should respect others opinion, everyone should have right to put own views in public. One can criticize my views, I will take it with healthy mind. Everything should be discussed in a civilized society, sometimes we get something better out of it.

Does only practicing a named religion (e.g. Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Judaism, Jainism, Buddhism, and many more) make you religious? I see huge difference between "true religion" and "practicing a named religion". Practicing a named religion doesn't always make you religious. For example, if I say "help everyone who needs you", which religion does oppose it? Answer is 'no one'. You can ask many questions with yourself, you will find the same answer. Religion doesn't have any name. Given name of a religion only describe a path or group of followers. A name can define its followers to differentiate them but cannot define a religion. Every religion teaches us to be a human and respect humanity. Then, why should it be given a name? Every path takes us to a single religion. I born in a Hindu family I became a Hindu, if I would have born in a Muslim family I would have been following Islam; similar for other named religions. Where is my opinion? Having the born identity we start hating others who follow different named religions. Why is this, did you think about? Actually, we have never been a religious person. A religious person can never hate others. What is behind this hatred mindset? Answer is very simple, we do not have knowledge about other named religions and its teachings, and unfortunately we shield ourselves for such source of knowledge. We only know them by media and tailored stories. Why don't we try to learn by ourselves?

God says to be a human and serve humanity for others. He never says that you follow particular path. If one says that a particular path is the only way to reach the God, he is only making you fool. God only wants you to be helpful and loving to others, He doesn't need a particular path to be followed. God cannot be a "God" if He says you to follow a particular path, it could be sentence of a dictator but not of "God". God doesn't run an empire. We all are associated with Him only, He does not rule us but He is merciful.

There should be an open teaching of every religion for our children, this will make them a complete knowledge of other religions too. It will minimize hatred mindset for others. These children will make a healthy society in which there will be love for everyone.

Be religious for humanity not only a practitioner, it will make a better world for everyone.

No Hindu, No Sikh, No Christian and No Musalman, Say Only Hindustan

देश को आज़ाद हुए 66 साल हो गए, तब भी गरीबी हटाना एक चुनौती थी और आज भी है। तब से ले कर आज तक हमारे नेता बदलते गए लेकिन अगर कुछ नहीं बदला तो वो है उनके पीढ़िगत चुनावी वादे। वही वादे हमारे बाप दादा भी सुनते थे और आज हम भी सुनते हैं। देश का बंटवारा हुआ तब भी दंगे होते थे और आज भी होते हैं। तब भी धर्म के नाम पर खून बहते थे आज भी बहते हैं। सवाल ये है कि इसके लिए ज़िम्मेदार कौन है, ये नेता या हम? क्या हमें आत्मावलोकन नहीं करना चाहिए? हम विकास की बात करते हैं, अपने-अपने विकास के मॉडल को प्रस्तुत करते हैं, लेकिन ऐसा क्या हो जाता है कि जैसे-जैसे चुनाव नज़दीक आता जाता है चुनाव के मुद्दे भी बदलते जाते हैं? फिर से हम अपने दादा जी की कहानी के यादों में चले जाते हैं।
अगर मैं सिनेमा का उदहारण दूँ तो अतिश्योक्ति नहीं होगी। आपने अक्सर सुना होगा फ़िल्म निर्माताओं को कहते हुए की हम ऐसी फिल्में बनाते हैं जो पब्लिक देखना चाहती है। ठीक वैसे ही नेता हर चुनाव में वही मुद्दे बेचते हैं जिसे जनता पसंद करती है। मेरे कहने का तात्पर्य ये है कि जो भी मुद्दे बनते हैं उसके लिए हम सीधे तौर पे ज़िम्मेदार हैं। हमें आज़ादी तो मिल गयी लेकिन आज़ादी में जीना नहीं आया, पहले पूरी तरह से ग़ुलाम थे आज मानसिक रूप से ग़ुलाम हैं। अगर हम ऐसे लोगों को नकारना शुरू कर दें तो उनके बीच में कुछ अच्छा करने की प्रतियोगिता होगी जिसका सीधा फायदा जनता को होगा। आम आदमी पार्टी की बात मुझे अभी तक अच्छी लगी की उनका उम्मीदवार जनता चुन रही है या जनता के प्रति जवाबदेह होगी, अगर आगे भी वो ऐसे रहे और जनता उनका समर्थन करती है तो निश्चित रूप से ये हमारे देश के लिए एक मील का पत्थर होगी। मैं उनकी पार्टी का समर्थक नहीं लेकिन इस कदम का समर्थक ज़रूर हूँ। अगर ऐसा हुआ तो दूसरी पार्टी के लोग भी परंपरागत राजनीति से हट के इस तरह के रास्ते पे चलने को मजबूर होंगे। जनता को किसी भी अच्छे कदम को दिल खोल के समर्थन करना चाहिए चाहे वो किसी भी पार्टी का हो, धीरे-धीरे ऐसा करने से राजनीति में सुधार आ सकता है। हम अपने मसीहा खुद हैं, किसी दूसरे को हमारी किस्मत बदलने का मौका नहीं देना चाहिए। वक़्त आ गया है कि अब हम अपने नेताओं कि सोच से आगे बढ़ें और ये कहें:

हमारे चेहरे में हिन्दू, सिख, इसाई और मुसलमान ना देखो, इनमें सिर्फ और सिर्फ एक हिंदुस्तान देखो।

जय हिन्द !!!

India's Oscar-winning smiling Pinki to flip toss at Wimbledon finals

The biggest gift that you can give to someone is to bring smile on his/her face. By seeing this movie "Smile Pinki", a small Oscar-winning documentary of a girl born in poor family of India who had cleft lips, I can say this confidently. Now this girl, Pinki Sonkar, is going to flip toss at Wimbledon final. Around us many people are there who need our help, by doing so we can change their life. I do not need to say much more; see this video it is sufficient to explain this.

Smile Pinki from asg on Vimeo.

A wound that has never healed

My father died 13 years ago, 3rd May 2000, by cardiac attack. I could not see him and even could not be the part of his last journey. Never loved anyone more..... People say.. time heals. But my father's death is a wound that has never healed. It's a wound I cherish. My father was a Guru, great teacher to many and a dear friend to me not just a father. Remembering him today is not just memories, it's also lots of strength, that's what he gave me all his life. Thank him for being part of my life, every day is Father's Day for me.

Anna to fast again at Ramlila Maidan in October for Janlokpal

अन्ना ने अक्टूबर में जनलोकपाल कानून के लिए दिल्ली के रामलीला मैदान में अनशन करने का निर्णय लिया |

राष्ट्रपति पद के चुनाव प्रसंग पर विरोध के होते हुए भी आप की सरकार बहुमत हासिल कर सकती हैं। एफडीआई का विरोध होते हुए भी बहुमत प्राप्त कर सकती है, वैसे ही भ्रष्टाचार को रोकने वाले जनलोकपाल कानून के लिए बहुमत प्राप्त करना सरकार के लिए असंभव नहीं था। दो साल हो जाने पर भी जनलोकपाल बिल पास नहीं हुआ। इसका स्पष्ट अर्थ निकलता है कि, सरकार ने 120 करोड जनता और अण्णा हजारे के साथ धोखाधड़ी की है।

आपने मुझे जो झुठा आश्वासन दे कर मेरा अनशन तुड़वाया था, वह मेरा अधूरा अनशन फिर से उसी रामलीला मैदान पर शुरू करने का निर्णय मैंने लिया है। क्योंकि भ्रष्टाचार के कारण जनता कितनी त्रस्त है इसका अंदाजा हमेशा एयरकंडीशन में बैठने वालों को नहीं हो पाएगा। भ्रष्टाचार के कारण महंगाई ने चरमसीमा पार कर ली है। अपने परिवार को पालनेवाले आम लोगों के दुख और तकलीफ को आप और आपकी सरकार नहीं समझ रही हैं। न महसूस करती हैं।

इसलिए मजबूर हो कर मैं इस निर्णय पर आ गया हूं कि जब तक शरीर में प्राण हैं तब तक मै जनलोकपाल कानून के लिए रामलीला मैदान में अनशन पर बैठा रहूंगा। जनता का दुख अब मुझसे नहीं सहा जाता। मैंने अपना जीवन ही उनके भलाई के लिए समर्पित किया है। कुछ ही दिनों में मैं अक्टूबर में होने वाले मेरे अनशन की तारीख निश्चित कर के आपको बताऊंगा।

अण्णा हजारे

Government should respond on naxal issues

It is very unfortunate to see that political leaders have been assassinated by naxals. One cannot support this kind of act even the group or person having sympathy with naxals. In democracy everything should be demanded in democratic way, if a person or group is unsatisfied he/she has right to protest. But violence cannot be allowed or justified in any way. It also cannot be ruled out that naxals are not given an opportunity in development of country, they are struggling for their survival, they are not included in mainstream. Therefore, they have right to protest. Now, as they have started this kind of acts, they are deviated from the issues for which it is organized. This kind of acts will harm themselves. Previously, few social activists had sympathy with them, but now it seems naxals are loosing their support too and they are now being called as terrorist. Considering them as terrorist, it would be easy for government to take strong action against them including the use of army. Then, government will not be in pressure to have dialogue with them. Mentors of naxals should rethink and have open discussion with government this is the only way to get success for their welfare.

On the other hand, government should come out from its denial mode and take this attack as an opportunity to take on the situation. In my view, government is more responsible for this. Government should make a strong stand and make effective and result oriented policies. Government comes in action when this kind of attacks happens. Why do we wait for this to happen? I hope, now government will respond.

Please have patience and be calm. Respect the peace.

20 cm Long Worm in the Human Eye, First Ever Recorded on Video

Here is the video clip of a 20 cm long worm being removed from a human eye through surgical procedure. It is the first time ever that such a long worm growing in the eye has been recorded.

Dr. Ashley Thomas Mulamoottil, the doctor who recorded this unique surgery says that this is the seventh worm that he has removed in the last one decade and it is also the longest.

The worm Loa Loa was originally found in Africa and has now reached Asia. The mangrove fly or deer fly is believed to be the carrier of this worm. The eggs of the worm enter the human body through small wounds inflicted by the fly. The death of the worm inside the body could be fatal as it could contaminate the blood. The disease is known as microfilariasis or Loa Loa infestation (Loiasis).

About the Worm: Loa loa is the filarial nematode (roundworm) species that causes Loa loa filariasis. It is commonly known as the "eye worm". Its geographic distribution includes Africa and India. L. loa is one of three parasitic filarial nematodes that cause subcutaneous filariasis in humans. The two other filarial nematodes are Mansonella streptocerca and Onchocerca volvulus (causes river blindness).

Maturing larvae and adults of the "eye worm" occupy the subcutaneous layer of the skin – the fat layer – of humans, causing disease. The young larvae develop in horseflies of the genus Chrysops (deer flies, yellow flies), including the species C. dimidiata and C. silacea, which infect humans by biting them. 

Source: biotechnika 

Arvind Kejriwal of Aam Aadmi Party on Delhi Assembly Election

My Dear Friend,

Delhi goes to elections in November this year. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will participate in elections for the first time. Your party would put up candidates on all 70 seats.

Aam Aadmi Party introduces certain key measures, for the first time, to clean up Indian politics:

1. No criminals would be given tickets: Whereas most parties give tickets to criminals, your party has decided not to give ticket to any person with criminal background.

2. No tickets to sons and daughters: Whereas most other parties give tickets to sons and daughters of their party leaders, Aam Aadmi party’s constitution bars two people from same family from getting tickets.

3. Tickets won’t be sold for a price: Whereas in most other parties, candidates have to pay huge money to get tickets, your party has decided to invite names of good candidates directly from the public. Your party has decided to select candidates through a transparent and participatory process. Click here to know the detailed candidate selection process.

4. Complete financial transparency: Political corruption starts with elections. Candidates spend huge amounts of unaccounted money and recover many times over if they win. Your party wants to put an end to this. We have always practiced complete financial transparency. Since its inception, your party puts up list of all its donors on its website (link) every month. The source of even the smallest donations is disclosed. We demand similar transparency from other parties.

Through this letter, I urge you to participate in this struggle to make India corruption free. I am confident that together, we can achieve that.

 

1. Please suggest good candidates: Do you know of anyone in Delhi, who is honest, hard working, sensitive to public interest, has been involved in public service, who you think is ideally suited to become an MLA and whom you would like to recommend as your party’s candidate? If yes, kindly request that person to fill up the application form available on our website.

2. Lets prepare party’s manifesto together: What are Delhi’s problems? What are possible solutions? What are the problems of your area, if you are a resident of Delhi, and what are the solutions? Kindly send us your suggestions. We will incorporate all practical suggestions in our manifesto.

 

3. Donate money for Delhi elections: We have to fight Delhi elections. All of us would need to contribute financially. To make a donation, click here.

You can donate online through national or international debit or credit cards or internet banking OR send a DD or cheque in favour of "Aam Aadmi Party" at the following address:
A-119, Kaushambi, Ghaziabad – 201010, UP.

4. Volunteer for Delhi elections: Other parties hire people during elections. We neither have money to do that nor would we like to do that. For us, this is like second freedom struggle. Struggle for independence cannot be fought by hired people. People will have to be prepared to sacrifice everything if we wish to cleanse India’s politics. If you can spare time either during elections or right now upto elections (even a few hours every week would be good), kindly write back to us.

Till now the people had no choice. They had to choose between BJP and Congress. It was a choice between the devil and deep sea. "Aam Aadmi Party" has emerged as an alternate to the corrupt politics of BJP and Congress. "Aam Aadmi Party" is the new hope that this time India would certainly change.

I will wait for your reply.

Jai Hind.

Warm regards, Arvind Kejriwal

Shahrukh Khan's strong message to Pakistan

Shah Rukh Khan has issued a statement regarding the controversy surrounding his column for the Outlook Turning Points Magazine (Agenda 2013) in association with The New York Times:

"According to me, all our lives we are defined by three identities.

Two of which are fortunately acquired by birth and are a matter of unconditional love and acceptance.

The first identity is acquired by where one is born. Our Motherland. That defines us. So foremost all of us here like me are proud Indians.

Second the family name and upbringing that our parents give us. Mine is Khan, like some of us here. I am very proud of my parents, like all of us are here. I love them unconditionally.

The third is the profession we choose that defines us. By some quirk of fate I am a celebrity...a public figure in the fields of art and media. Like most of us are here today.

As I said being an Indian and my parents' child is an unconditional accepted truth of my life and I am very proud of both.

The third...being a public figure makes me open to any kind of questioning, adjectives good and bad and or sometimes makes me an object of controversy as people use my name and statements to attach any positive or negative sentiment to it. I accept all the above because this is the life I chose and will stand by it. I am what I am, because of the love and admiration that comes with being who I am in my profession...so I thank everyone for making me the star I am.

Now to address this whole issue, with regards to my article, that has taken an unwarranted twist . I do not even understand the basis of this controversy.

Ironically the article I wrote (yes its written by me) was actually meant to reiterate that on some occasions my being an Indian Muslim film star is misused by bigots and narrow minded people who have misplaced religious ideologies for small gains....and ironically the same has happened through this article...once again.

The reason for this primarily is....I think some of the people have not even read it and are reacting to comments of people, who in turn have also not read it. So I implore you all to first read it.

Second if you read it, nowhere does the article state or imply directly or indirectly that I feel unsafe...troubled or disturbed in India.

It does not even vaguely say that I am ungrateful for the love that I have received in a career spanning 20 years. On the contrary the article only says that in spite of bigoted thoughts of some of the people that surround us...I am untouched by skepticism because of the love I have received by my countrymen and women.

I will paraphrase the beginning and the end of the article to clarify and substantiate my stand.

"Then, there is the image I most see, the one of me in my own country: being acclaimed as a megastar, adored and glorified, my fans mobbing me with love and apparent adulation...

So I am a Khan, but no stereotyped image is factored into my idea of who I am. Instead, the living of my life has enabled me to be deeply touched by the love of millions of Indians. I have felt this love for the last 20 years regardless of the fact that my community is a minority within the population of India. I have been showered with love across national and cultural boundaries, they appreciate what I do for them as an entertainer - that's all. My life has led me to understand and imbibe that love is a pure exchange, untempered by definition and unfettered by the narrowness of limiting ideas.

Sometimes, they ask me what religion they belong to and, like a good Hindi movie hero, I roll my eyes up to the sky and declare philosophically, "you are an Indian first and your religion is Humanity", or sing them an old Hindi film ditty, "tu hindu banega na musalmaan banega - insaan ki aulaad hai insaan banega" set to Gangnam style.

Why should not the love we share be the last word in defining us instead of the last name? It doesn't take a superstar to be able to give love, it just takes a heart and as far as I know, there isn't a force on this earth that can deprive anyone of theirs.

I am a Khan, and that's what it has meant being one, despite the stereotype images that surround me. To be a Khan has been to be loved and love back..."

Please I implore everyone here to read the article and convey through your respective mediums of communications, all the good things that it expresses to youngsters and my fellow Indians. It is a heartfelt and extremely important aspect of my life, an appreciation of love that all of you have bestowed upon me and also a point of view from my being a father of two young children

I would like to tell all those who are offering me unsolicited advice that we in India are extremely safe and happy. We have an amazing democratic, free and secular way of life. In the environs that we live here in my country India, we have no safety issues regarding life or material. As a matter of fact it is irksome for me to clarify this non-existent issue. With respect I would like to say to anyone who is interpreting my views and offering advice regarding them, please read what I have written first.

Also some of the views that I have been made to read are just an extension of soft targeting celebs and creating an atmosphere of emotional outbursts and divisiveness based on religion...in the minds of some. I implore everyone to understand, that my article is against exactly this kind of giving in to propaganda and aggressiveness. Lets not be misled by tools which use religion as an anchor for unrest and a policy of divide and rule.

I would also like to add here, that my profession as an actor makes me, liked beyond the borders of my nation and culture. The hugs and love that I am showered upon by nationalities all around the world, make me safe all over the globe, and my safety has genuinely never been a matter of concern to me...and so it should not be a matter of concern to anyone else either.

We are all educated and patriotic people. We do not have to prove that time and again because of divisive politics of a few.

My own family and friends, are like a mini India...where all religions, professions and a few wrongs included, all are treated with tolerance and understanding and regard for each other. I only sell love...love that I have got from millions of Indians and non Indians...and stand indebted to my audience in my country and around the world. It is sad that I have to say it to prove it, in my country, which my father fought for, during the Independence struggle.

That's my piece and having said all this...I would like to request all of you present here...that henceforth ask me questions regarding...my next movie. The songs that I have recorded. The release date of my film. The heroines cast in it. The Toiffa awards in Vancouver, because I am an actor and maybe I should just stick to stuff that all of you expect me to have a viewpoint on. The rest of it...maybe I don't have the right kind of media atmosphere to comment on. So I will refrain from it.

And please if you can...put all I have said on your channels, or mediums of communication, in the exact same light as I have said it and meant it in. 24 hrs of unrequired controversy is more than enough for all of us I assume. So do not sensationalize and hence trivialize matters of national interest and religion any further and drag a movie actor in the middle of it all...and let me get back to doing what I do best...making movies."

-Shah Rukh Khan